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Cymbopogon

'''''Cymbopogon''''' is a genus of about 55 species of Poaceae|grasses, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and Oceania. It is a tall perennial plant|perennial grass. Common names include '''lemon grass''', '''lemongrass''', '''barbed wire grass''', '''silky heads''', '''citronella grass''', '''fever grass''' or '''Hierba Luisa''' amongst many others.

Uses

Lemon grass is widely used as a herb in Asian cuisine. It has a citrus flavour and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. Lemon grass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curry|curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African and Latino-American countries (''e.g.'', Togo, Mexico, DR Congo). Research also shows that lemon grass oil has antifungal properties.Shadab, Q., Hanif, M. & Chaudhary, F.M. (1992) ''Antifungal activity by lemongrass essential oils.'' Pak. J. Sci. Ind. Res. 35, 246-249.
Citronella Grass (''Cymbopogon nardus'' and ''Cymbopogon winterianus'') is similar to the species above but grows to 2 m and has red base stems. These species are used for the production of citronella oil, which is used in soaps, as a mosquito repellent in insect sprays and candles, and also in aromatherapy, which is famous in Bintan, Indonesia. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, geraniol and citronellol, are antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps. Besides oil production, citronella grass is also used for culinary purposes, in tea and as a flavoring.

International naming

- கற்ப்பூரப்புல் (''Karppuurappul'') in Tamil

Cultivation

Cymbopogon flexuosus|East-Indian Lemon Grass (''Cymbopogon flexuosus''), also called Cochin Grass or Malabar Grass, is native to Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Burma,and Thailand while the Cymbopogon citratus|West-Indian lemon grass (''Cymbopogon citratus''), also known as serai in Malay, is assumed to have its origins in Malaysia. Indonesian people used to called it ''serai'' too or ''sereh''. While both can be used interchangeably, ''C. citratus'' is more suited for cooking. In India ''C. citratus'' is used both as a medical herb and in perfumes.

In the Philippines

Abundant in the Philippines, and 65- to 85-% citral, Cymbopogon citratus contains active ingredients like myrcene, an antibacterial and pain reliever, citronella, citronellol and geranilol. NGO Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (Adfi) established in Mambugsay, South of Negros and Escalante, Negros Occidental lemon grass essential oil production, via distillery plants which extract the oil. Hydro steam distillation, condensation and cooling were used to separate the oil from the water. Hydrosol or Hydrolat, as a by-product of the distillation process, is a pure natural water or plant water essence used for the production of skin care products such as lotions, creams and facial cleansing toner in its pure form. The main products are - organic unadulterated lemon grass oil (for industrial users), and “Negros Oil” (mixture of lemon grass oil with virgin coconut oil) used in aromatherapy. Inquirer.net, ‘Tanglad’ goes mainstream, yields essential oils

Images

Image:Serai.jpg|Lemon grass at a market Image:Prepared lemon grass.JPG|Prepared Lemongrass Image:Recipes Using Lemongrass dt 2007.jpg|Fresh Lemongrass

Partial species list

- ''Cymbopogon ambiguus'' Australian lemon-scented grass (native of Australia)
- ''Cymbopogon bombycinus'' Silky Oilgrass (native of Australia)
- ''Cymbopogon citratus'' Lemon Grass
- ''Cymbopogon citriodora'' West Indian lemon grass
- ''Cymbopogon flexuosus'' East Indian lemon grass
- ''Cymbopogon martinii'' Palmarosa
- ''Cymbopogon nardus'' Citronella Grass
- ''Cymbopogon obtectus'' Silky-heads (native of Australia)
- ''Cymbopogon procerus'' (native of Australia)
- ''Cymbopogon proximus'' found in Egypt
- ''Cymbopogon refractus'' Barbed wire grass (native of Australia)
- ''Cymbopogon schoenanthus'' or camel hay or camel grass, southern Asia and northern Africa
- ''Cymbopogon winterianus'' Citronella Grass

References

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Sources: StartLearningNow, Wikipedia | Usage license: GNU FDL

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